Read The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV Online
Authors: Stephen Tropiano
| HEARTBEATS (ABC, Medical Drama, 1988- 1989) | Reg: Marilyn McGrath (Gail Strickland), nurse practitioner |
| Rec: Patti (Gina Hecht), Marilyn’s lover | |
| “To Heal a Doctor,” Marilyn reconciles with her daughter (4/20/88) | |
| “The Wedding,” Marilyn’s daughter is married (4/21/88) | |
| HEARTS AFIRE (CBS, Comedy, 1992-1995) | Rec: Diandra (Julie Cobb), John’s ex-wife; Ruth (Conchata Ferrell), Diandra’s lover/marriage counselor |
| “Bees Can Sting You, Watch Out,” John finds out about Diandra and Ruth (8/14/92) | |
| HEARTS AFIRE (cont.) | “Significant Others,” Diandra and Ruth come to dinner (10/26/92) |
| “Conversations with My Shrink,” Georgie seeks help from Ruth (11/16/92) | |
| “Birth of a Donation,” Billy Bob’s old friend is gay (10/22/94) | |
| “Mrs. Hartman, Mrs. Hartman,” Diandra pays a visit (1/18/95) | |
| HERE’S LUCY (CBS, Comedy, 1968-1974) | “Lucy and Jim Bailey,” Female impersonator Jim Bailey guest stars (11/6/72) |
| HERMAN’S HEAD (Fox, Comedy, 1991-1994) | “Spermin’ Herman,” Herman’s ex, a lesbian, wants his sperm (9/20/92) |
| HIGH SOCIETY (CBS, Comedy, 1995-1996) | Reg: Stefano (Luigi Amodeo), Dott’s assistant |
| HILL STREET BLUES (NBC, Police Drama, 1981-1987) | Rec: Eddie Gregg (Charles Levin) (1982, 1986); Officer Kate McBride (Lindsay Crouse) (1986-1987) |
| “Trial by Fury,” Belker befriends male prostitute, Eddie (9/30/82) | |
| “Requiem for a Hairbag,” Eddie gets arrested (11/18/82) | |
| “A Hair of the Dog,” Eddie becomes Belker’s snitch (11/25/82) | |
| “Phantom of the Hill,” Eddie’s lover is involved in drug murder (12/2/82) | |
| “No Body’s Perfect,” Eddie the informant cracks under pressure (12/9/82) | |
| “Here’s Adventure, Here’s Romance,” Closeted cop witnesses murder (10/13/83) | |
| “Queen for a Day,” Coffey’s school coach arrested in gay raid (4/11/85) | |
| “Look Homeward, Ninja,” Officer McBride accused of molestation (3/13/86) | |
| “Slum Enchanted Evening,” Belker helps a dying Eddie (3/27/86) | |
| HITCHHIKER, THE (HBO, Anthology, 1983- 1987, USA, 1989-1991) | “Man at the Window,” Woman hides lesbian affair from husband (3/12/85) |
| HOLDING THE BABY (Fox, Comedy, 1998) | “The Gay Divorcee,” Gordon’s date thinks he’s gay (12/8/98) |
| HOLLYWOOD BEAT (ABC, Police Drama, 1985) | Reg: George Grinsky (John Matuszak), cocktail lounge owner |
| HOMICIDE: LIFE ON . THE STREET (NBC, Police Drama, 1993-1999) | Reg: Det. Tim Bayliss (1993-1999); bisexual detective; Det. Rene Sheppard (1998-1999) bi-curious detective |
| “From Cradle to Grave,” Congressman tries to conceal his homosexuality (1/13/95) | |
| “Hate Crimes,” Young man mistaken for gay is gay- bashed (11/17/95) | |
| “Betrayal,” Bayliss reveals he was sexually abused (1/10/97) | |
| “Closet Cases,” Det. Bayliss investigates gay murder (1/2/98) | |
| “Sins of the Father,” Pembleton is confused about Bayliss’s sexuality (1/9/98) | |
| “ Homicide.com ,” Bayliss’s website is linked to internet killer (2/5/99) | |
| “Just an Old Fashioned Love Song,” Bayliss and Sheppard are bi-curious (10/23/98) | |
| “Truth Will Out,” Word is out Bayliss is bisexual (3/26/99) | |
| “Forgive Us Our Trespasses,” Bayliss murders internet killer (5/21/99) | |
| HOOPERMAN (ABC, Police Comedy-Drama, 1987-1989) | Reg: Officer Rick Silardi (Joseph Gian); Rudy (Ron Gist) (1988-1989), Hooperman’s tenant |
| “Don We Now Our Gay Apparel,” Silardi attracts a movie star (10/7/87) | |
| “Surprise Party,” Silardi’s homophobic twin visits (5/18/88) | |
| HOPE & GLORIA (NBC, Comedy, 1995-1996) | Rec: Isaac (Eric Allan Kramer) (1995), hairstylist |
| HOTEL (ABC, Drama, 1983-1988) | “Faith, Hope, and Charity,” Woman discovers old friend is lesbian (11/23/83) |
| “Mistaken Identities,” Father fears son is gay (2/1/84) | |
| “Transitions,” Woman discovers husband is bisexual (11/14/84) | |
| “Scapegoats,” Hetero bartender with AIDS (1/22/86) | |
| “Undercurrents,” Army officer discovers friend is gay (11/19/86) | |
| “Rallying Cry,” Gay men fight for child custody (10/2/85) | |
| “Contest of Wills,” Dad discovers late daughter was lesbian (3/7/88) | |
| HOT L BALTIMORE (ABC, Comedy, 1975) | Reg: George (Lee Bergere); Gordon (Henry Calvert) |
| “George and Gordon,” The couple have a lover’s spat (2/21/75) | |
| HOUSE CALLS (CBS, Comedy, 1979-1982) | “The Magnificent Weatherbees,” Dr. Weatherbee has gay alter ego (3/9/81) |
| HUDSON STREET (ABC, Comedy, 1995-1996) | “The Man’s Man,” Melanie’s ex, a former pro athlete, is gay (10/24/95) |
| THE HUGHLEYS (ABC, Comedy, 1998-2000; UPN, 2000- ) | Rec: Joanie Park (Amy Hill) |
| “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Darryl is afraid son Michael is gay (9/18/00) | |
| HUNTER (NBC, Police Drama, 1984-1991) | “The Fifth Victim,” Gay serial killer (12/9/89) |
| “From San Francisco with Love,” Hunter beds a killer lesbian (11/15/96) | |
| INK (CBS, Comedy, Comedy, 1996-1997) | “Paper Cuts,” Mike and Kate lay off lesbian employee (10/28/96) |
| IN LIVING COLOR (Fox, Comedy/Variety, 1990- 1994) | Rec: Blaine Edwards (Damon Wayans) (1990-1992), critic, “Men on ...”; Antoine Merriweather (David Allen Grier), critic, “Men on...” |
| “Men on Film,” (4/15/90) | |
| “Men on Art,” (5/5/90) | |
| “Men on Books,” (5/26/90) | |
| “Men on Vacation,” (4/7/91) | |
| “Men on Television,” (5/12/91) | |
| “Men on Football,” (1/26/92) | |
| IN THE HOUSE (NBC, Comedy, 1995-1996; UPN, 1996-1998) | “Boys II Men II Women,” RuPaul as a hetero drag queen (2/4/95) |
| IN THE LIFE (PBS, News, 1992- ) | Gay and lesbian news magazine |
| INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS (A&E, News, 1991- ) | “Transgender Revolution,” Report on transgender rights movement (10/5/98) |
| “Anti-Gay Hate Crime,” Report on hate crimes in America (7/6/99) | |
| JACKIE THOMAS SHOW, THE (ABC, Comedy, 1992-1993) | “Forces of Nature,” Jackie is “outed” by the tabloids (2/2/93) |
| JAG (JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL) (NBC, Military Drama, 1995- 1996; CBS, 1997- ) | “The People vs. Gunny,” Gunny is charged with gay- bashing (2/22/00) |
| JAMIE FOXX SHOW, THE (WB, Comedy, 1996- 2001) | “Partners fo’ Life,” Andre and Jamie are mistaken for a gay couple (2/18/00) |
| JEFFERSONS, THE (CBS, Comedy, 1975-1985) | “Once a Friend,” George’s old navy buddy is now a woman (10/1/77) |
| JOB, THE (ABC, Comedy-Drama, 2001, 2002- ) | “Gay,” Frank is suspected of being a closeted homosexual (2/27/02) |
| JOHN LARROQUETE SHOW, THE (NBC, Comedy, 1993-1996) | Rec: Teddi (David Shawn Michaels) (1993); Drag Queen (Jazzmun) (1994); Officer Hampton (Lenny Clarke) (1993-1996) |
| “The Past Comes Back,” AA member makes amends to John for past (10/26/93) | |
| “Dirty Deeds,” John’s college roommate is a female impersonator (2/1/94) | |
| “An Odd Cup of Tea,” Hampton mistakenly gets flowers (12/19/95) | |
| “Happy Endings,” Officer Hampton comes out (5/21/96) | |
| JUDD, FOR THE DEFENSE (ABC, Legal Drama, 1967-1969) | “Weep the Hunter Home,” Father suspects son is a homosexual (11/8/68) |
| JUDGING AMY (CBS, Legal Drama, 1999- ) | “8 1/2 Narrow,” Principal discontinues school’s gay pride club (2/6/01) |
| “Between the Wanting and the Getting,” Boy wants to dress as girl (5/1/01) | |
| “The Extinction of Dinosaurs,” Maxine helps gay teen find a home (1/22/02) | |
| JUDY GARLAND SHOW, THE (CBS, Variety, 1963- 1964) | |
| JUST SHOOT ME (NBC, Comedy, 1997- ) | “Pass the Salt,” Finch’s father thinks he’s gay (1/29/98) |
| “The Emperor,” Maya insults flamboyant designer (4/23/98) | |
| “Two Girls for Every Boy,” Finch arranges ménage with Maya and model (11/10/98) | |
| “Brandi You’re a Fine Girl,” Finch’s childhood friend is transsexual (11/16/00) | |
| “Mayas and Tigers and Deans, Oh My,” Nina wonders if her new beau is gay (2/15/01) | |
| KATE AND ALLIE (CBS, Comedy, 1984-1989) | “Landlady,” The duo pretend to be lesbians to avoid a rent increase (10/15/84) |
| KATE LOVES A MYSTERY a.k.a KATE COLUMBO (NBC, Detective Drama, 1979) | “Feelings Can Be Murder,” Ms. Columbo investigates bi woman’s death (12/6/79) |
| KEY WEST (Fox, Comedy-Drama, 1993) | Reg: Mayor Pembroke (Nicolas Surovy), ex-marine (Pilot only) |
| “Pilot,” Gay mayor loses election to conservative, anti- gay opponent (1/19/93) | |
| “A Second Day in Heaven,” New mayor meets sexually diverse staff (1/26/93) | |
| KIDS IN THE HALL (HBO, Sketch Comedy, 1989-1994; CBS, 1992-1995) | Reg: Scott Thompson |
| KOJAK (CBS, Police Drama, 1973-1978; ABC, 1989-1990) | “A Need to Know,” Controversial child molestation episode (10/24/76) |
| L.A. DOCTORS (CBS, Medical Drama, 1998- 1999) | “Under the Radar,” Lonner treats friend with AIDS (9/28/98) |
| “Been There, Done That,” Female-to-male transsexual (1/11/99) | |
| L.A. LAW (NBC, Legal Drama, 1986-1994) | Reg: Cara Jean “C.J.” Lamb (Amanda Donohoe) (1990- 1992), lawyer |
| Rec: Mark Gilliam (Stanley Kamel), lawyer | |
| “Pilot,” Lawyers discover late senior partner was gay (9/15/86) | |
| “The Venus Butterfly,” Mercy killing involving AIDS patient (11/21/86) | |
| “Fry Me to the Moon,” Grace helps gay man convicted of mercy killing (12/4/86) | |
| “The Accidental Jurist,” Gay judge hears gay athlete case (2/23/89) | |
| “Blood, Sweat and Fears,” Doctor refuses to operate on AIDS patient (3/15/90) | |
| “Outward Bound,” Gay cop is outed by journalist (5/10/90) | |
| “Smoke Gets in Your Thighs,” Gay man refused visitation rights (11/15/90) | |
| “He’s a Crowd,” C.J. kisses Abby (2/7/91) | |
| “Speak, Lawyers for Me,” Transsexual model sues cosmetics company (4/25/91) | |
| “Since I Fell for You,” AIDS-stricken Gilliam sues insurance co. (5/16/91) | |
| “Do the Spike Thing,” Douglas is gay bashed (10/31/91) | |
| “The Nut Before Christmas,” C.J. defends ex-lover in custody suit (12/19/91) | |
| “Cold Shower,” Gay man charged with art theft (4/8/93) | |
| “Tunnel of Love,” AIDS rumors hurt dentist’s practice (4/28/94) | |
| LARRY SANDERS SHOW, THE (HBO, Comedy, 1992-1998) | Reg: Brian (Scott Thompson), Hank’s assistant |
| “Hank’s New Assistant,” Hank hires, then tries to fire Brian (7/26/95) | |
| “I Was a Teenage Lesbian,” Paula reveals lesbian affair with Brett (10/11/95) | |
| “Everybody Loves Larry,” David Duchovny has a crush on Larry (11/13/96) | |
| “Ellen, or Isn’t She,” Larry wants Ellen to come out on his show (12/11/96) | |
| “The Matchmaker,” Hank and Brian go to a gay bar (1/8/97) | |
| “Putting the Gay Back in Litigation,” Brian files harassment suit (5/17/98) | |
| “Flip,” David Duchovny returns (5/31/98) | |
| LAW AND ORDER (NBC, Police/Legal Drama, 1990- ) | “The Reaper’s Helper,” Man helps AIDS patients to commit suicide (10/4/90) |
| “Silence,” Murder of closeted gay city councilman (4/28/92) | |
| “ Manhood,” Gay cop’s cry for help ignored by officers (5/12/93) | |
| “Pride,” Gay councilman is murdered (5/24/95) | |
| “Deceit,” Gay lawyer is murdered (3/27/96) | |
| “Phobia,” Gay male is murdered by child stealer (2/14/01) | |
| LAW AND ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT (NBC, Police Drama, 2001- ) | “One,” Bisexual master thief manipulates both men and women (9/30/01) |
| LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (NBC, Police Drama, 1999- ) | “Russian Love Poem,” Russians, money, bisexuals, and murder (1/21/00) |
| “Bad Blood,” Closeted cop is guest at party near murder site (1/14/00) | |
| “Nocturne,” Piano teacher accused of child molestation (5/12/00) | |
| “Sacrifice,” Father works in gay porn to help daughter (11/9/01) | |
| LEAP YEARS (Showtime, Drama, 2001-2002) | Reg: Gregory Paget (Garrett Dillahunt), Critic and therapist |
| LIFE GOES ON (ABC, Drama, 1989-1993) | “Incident on Main,” HIV+ Jesse is gay-bashed outside hospice (1/10/93) |
| LINC’S (Showtime, Comedy, 1998-2000) | Reg: Rosalee Lincoln (Tisha Campbell), Army Lieutenant |
| LIFESTORIES (NBC, Anthology Drama, 1990) | “Steve Burdick,” Newscaster with AIDS goes public (12/18/90) |
| LIVESHOT (NBC, Drama, 1995) | Reg: Lou Waller (Tom Byrd), sportscaster |